Liz was able to use her spirit magic to aid our distribution line and hold concerts for everyone to enjoy. Not only had she found something only she was able to do, she was also able to entertain everyone that attended her concerts.
I can confidently say that Liz’s dream has come true.
Sophia has continued improving herself and her circle of friends is growing as well. Not only was Claire finally able to display how skilled she is, she was able to show this to members of the royal family. Everyone is slowly beginning to achieve the goal of living freely and becoming happy.
But my original plan of allowing Alice to live a normal school life has failed.
In order to protect Liz, I needed Alice’s assistance and her normal school life ended.
But that doesn’t mean I’ve forgotten my original goal.
Even though this happened because I wanted to help another girl, Alice never complained. Alice has already confessed her feelings to me, so I think it’s about time I give her my answer.
So, with this feeling in mind, I called Alice to the back of the school after Liz’s concert had ended.
I awaited her under the tree of legend.
I was feeling nervous as I waited for her. It wasn’t too long before I could hear footsteps fast approaching me.
“…haa..haa…I’m sorry for making you wait.”
Under the tree of legend, with the light from the setting sun behind her giving her an angelic glow, Alice stood with her cherry blossom coloured hair gently blowing in the breeze.
I guess she ran here from the stage. She was still wearing her stage costume and she was breathing heavily. Even knowing this, I doubt this is the reason her cheeks are so red.
“Leon, why did you call me out here…?”
I remained silent as I stared back into her face. When we first met I had to look up to look her in the eyes, but now, our eyes are at the same level. I actually have to look down slightly.
I silently stretched my arm out to remove her hair ornament.
Her eyes changed back to their normal heterochromatic appearance. Her blue and gold eyes looked confused as she looked back at me.
I looked at her and said —
“I like you, Alice. Ever since we met in this world, I’ve always felt like this.”
I wanted to be as straightforward as possible. There’s no need for me to hide my feelings.
“…Le…on… Really?”
Alice’s eyes opened wide in surprise.
“I wouldn’t joke about something like this.”
“…but in our past lives I was your sister.”
“That doesn’t matter here.”
We’re not related by blood in this world. Besides, even if she were, I’m not sure I’d be able to resist my feelings for her.
“That may be true, but…are you really okay with it? I’m an elf. Even once you’ve grown to be an old man, I’ll still look much younger than you.”
“I feel like I should be the one asking you that.”
I can’t really describe the pain I felt when I first lost my parents and then Saya. No matter who you are the grief you feel after losing a loved one is like nothing else.
And I don’t want to be the one that causes Alice this pain. At least not without her understanding that this is our fate if we decide to be together.
“I will almost certainly die before you and leave you alone. Are you really okay with that?”
“There’s no way I’d be okay with that. Just thinking about the fact that you’ll die in the future makes me want to cry.”
Alice’s face was distorted with a mixture of pain and fear.
“If that’s the case, then –”
She should try to find another elf that will live as long as her. I tried to say this but Alice quickly closed the distance between us and kissed me to stop me from saying anything more.
The kiss only lasted a short moment before Alice pulled back.
“… Alice?”
“Leon, you — Yuya nii-san, you stayed by my side when I was bedridden. Until the day I died, you were right there by me. I’ll be by your side until the day comes when we can no longer be together.”
“…I…I see.”
I’m glad she wants to stay by my side.
But at the same time, I’m sure the life of a human must be insignificant to an elf like Alice.
I mean, Alice hasn’t changed a bit since we met all those years ago. Elves look like young boys or girl for the first ten years of their lives. Once they reach their teens, they’ll remain looking as they do for hundreds of years.
The short-lived life of a human is probably comparable to a small animal.
…no matter when I die, I should do my best to create a life for Alice that will help alleviate the pain she’ll feel.
Ah, just by thinking about that day, I can feel tears starting to form.
Even if I’ll die before Alice, that day should be decades away. I can’t keep worrying about when that day will arrive. I should just try to make the time we have together as memorable as possible.
“Alice, will you stay with me?”
“…yes. I love you, Leon.”
“Yeah, me too.”
We kissed once more before Alice moved back and showed a mischievous smile.
“Then — does that mean you’re only going to see me from now on?”
“Of course I — wait, are you happy about that?”
To Alice’s somewhat unfair question, I asked her one of my own.
“Of course not. I’d never be happy if the other girls were sad, but, at the same time, I want to be the only one you’re seeing. A girl’s heart is complicated.”
I understand that feeling.
“I like you Alice but I can’t just abandon Claire and Sophia. It’s impossible for me to only be with you.”
“That’s a terrible thing to say….”
Alice let out a big sigh.
“I know. But those are my true feelings and I’m not going to hide them.”
Alice encouraged the feelings both Claire and Sophia had developed for me. And now that Alice has accomplished her main goal, they’re no longer needed — I could never say something like that to them.
I don’t know exactly how I should face those two but I can’t make any decisions without first considering them.
“Even so, Alice –”
“I still love you, Leon. I loved you even in our previous lives.”
I looked into her unwavering eyes and I could tell how serious her feelings were. I also need to show how serious I am.
“I’ll tell you once more. I love you, Alice. I can’t only be with you, but the feelings I have for you are real. That’s why –”
I cut my words there and pulled Alice’s body close to mine.
“Let’s become happy together. Please, stay with me forever.”
“Nothing would make me happier.”
Under the tree of legend, bathed in the light of the setting sun, we sealed our oath with a kiss.
